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What It Is

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Kentucky Radon Program works in partnership with the United States Environmental Protection Agency to provide education and awareness of the health hazards caused by radon to the citizens of Kentucky. Led by the Kentucky Department for Public Health, the program works to promote statewide knowledge of the harm radon may bring.

Staff Contact: Clay Hardwick, Kentucky Radon Program Coordinator

Request a Free Radon Test Kit

The Kentucky Radon Program provides radon test kits free of charge to Kentucky residents through grant funding from the EPA State Indoor Radon Grant.

If you are a Kentucky resident and your health department is on the radon program list, you may request a free kit from your health department.

If your county is not listed, please complete the form on the F​ree Radon Test Kit offer website

What is Radon?

Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. Radon gets into the air you breathe through cracks, crevices and openings in the foundation. Radon gas is not visible and has no odor or taste. It is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, estimated to cause thousands of deaths annually. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths.

Any home not constructed to be radon resistant may have a radon problem. Nearly one in 15 homes in the U.S. has elevated radon levels. Testing the home is the only way to determine the radon level. Depending on the level of radon in the home, additional action may be needed. According to the EPA there is no known safe level of exposure to radon. The EPA strongly recommends immediate radon mitigation of the home if the test shows 4 picocuries (pCi/L) or more. If the radon test shows between 2 and 4 pCi/L, the owner should consider radon mitigation. Radon can also enter the home through well water but usually carries little risk in Kentucky. For more information about radon in drinking waterplease call the state radon office or the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

For more information about radon, visit Radon in Kentucky: A Story Map​.​​​

Promoting Radon Awareness

The Kentucky Radon Program encourages continuous education on radon gas. Through education and increased awareness, health hazards caused by radon can be reduced. To support radon awareness, the Kentucky Radon Program hosts a radon poster and video contest for schools. Further information about the 2022-2023 Radon Poster and Video contests will be announced in Summer 2022. For questions, please contact Amber Ballinger.

​​Radon Action Month 2022

Governor's Proclamation 2022

Radon Awareness Poster Contest

Poster Contest Information and Flyer
Artwork Submission Form 

Radon Poster Contest Winners

Radon Awareness Video Contest

Video Contest Information and Flyer
Video Submission Form​

Video Contest Winner: First Place

Video Contest Winner: Second Place

Video Contest Winner: Third Place​

Radon Comic Boo​k

Invisible Enemy: The Rise of Radon Comic Book





Documentation

EPA Citizen's Guide to Radon  Instructions on testing your home for Radon